Unlike the other 31 NFL franchises, the Seattle Seahawks were able to end their season on a high note by celebrating a victory in Super Bowl LX. Though, after several players had a career year while gaining valuable playoff experience, the Seahawks will have some tough decisions to make this offseason. They may even feel compelled to say goodbye to a hero.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Seahawks are “unlikely” to place the franchise tag on upcoming free agent running back Kenneth Walker III.
“It’s unlikely the Seahawks will use their franchise tag on running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, per league sources. The Seahawks have multiple free agents they want to retain and sign. They also will try to extend WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There are enough Super-Bowl tax costs that now make using a franchise tag this off-season unlikely.”
Adam Schefter on Seattle Seahawks’ offseason plans
The Super Bowl LX MVP had an incredible postseason, rushing for 376 yards and five touchdowns on just 80 attempts for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. That includes a heroic 135-yard rushing performance in Super Bowl LX.
Now, he’s poised to cash in as a free agent. Spotrac projects Walker to land a contract worth $9 million per season. The franchise tag for running backs is expected to be around $14 million this offseason. Meanwhile, Walker has made a total of $8.44 million in his four-year NFL career.
The 25-year-old Walker will be one of the top free agent running backs available this offseason. If the Seahawks can’t agree on his value, then another team will surely make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs.
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